The Arctic is facing a crisis as climate change continues to cause sea ice to melt at an alarming rate. This melting ice is not only affecting the Arctic region but also contributing to rising sea levels globally. The need to address this issue is urgent, as the consequences of further ice loss could be catastrophic.
One potential solution that is gaining attention is polar geoengineering, a process that aims to artificially create more ice in the Arctic. While this may sound like a far-fetched idea, some scientists and organizations are taking this concept very seriously.
One such organization is Real Ice, a UK-based company that is actively working on geoengineering projects to save the Arctic ice cap. Their goal is to prevent the complete melting of the Arctic ice cap in the summertime, a scenario that scientists predict could happen as early as the 2030s.
To get an insider’s perspective on Real Ice’s efforts, Pulitzer Center ocean reporting fellow Alec Luhn takes us on a journey to the Arctic. Luhn describes the harsh conditions in the Arctic, with temperatures well below freezing and winds making it feel even colder. Despite the challenging environment, Real Ice is determined to make a difference.
Real Ice co-founder Cían Sherwin explains the process of artificially creating ice by drilling holes in the existing sea ice and pumping seawater onto the surface. This method allows for new ice to form, helping to thicken the existing ice cover.
While the concept of polar geoengineering is still met with skepticism and concerns about potential side effects, countries like the UK are beginning to invest in research and experiments in this field. The UK recently allocated funds for geoengineering research, including projects that involve launching balloons to test mineral dust and spraying sea-salt particles into the atmosphere.
Real Ice is one of the organizations that received a significant grant from the British program, highlighting the growing interest in exploring geoengineering solutions to combat Arctic ice loss. Other companies, such as Arctic Reflections, are also conducting experiments to thicken sea ice in different regions.
Overall, the efforts of organizations like Real Ice are a testament to the urgency of addressing the Arctic ice melt crisis. While the idea of artificially creating ice may seem unconventional, it is becoming increasingly clear that bold and innovative solutions are needed to protect the Arctic and mitigate the impacts of climate change on a global scale. A Scandinavian project has been making waves in the field of polar geoengineering by testing materials for huge underwater curtains in an attempt to prevent warm water from reaching the underside of Antarctic glaciers. The goal is to stop the melting and collapsing of these glaciers, which could have catastrophic effects on the Earth’s climate.
The project is focusing on sea-ice thickening as a way to combat the loss of Arctic sea ice, which has shrunk by about 40 percent in the last four decades. This loss has significant implications for global temperatures, as Arctic sea ice acts as a mirror, reflecting up to 90 percent of the sun’s radiation back into space when covered in snow. In contrast, ocean water absorbs 90 percent of sunlight, leading to further warming of the planet and the melting of more ice.
Real Ice, the company behind the project, has been working on developing an automated drone that could potentially thicken sea ice by melting through it from below and pumping water on top. The company plans to test a prototype of the drone by the end of the year, with the hope of eventually deploying 500,000 drones to prevent the disappearance of Arctic sea ice in the summer.
Andrea Ceccolini, co-CEO of Real Ice, believes that targeting an area of roughly a million square kilometers across the entire Arctic region could help prevent the loss of sea ice. While this may seem like a daunting task, Ceccolini points out that the production of half a million drones is not unprecedented, given that over 90 million cars and more than 40 million e-bikes are produced globally each year.
However, experts have raised concerns about the feasibility of such a large-scale deployment of underwater drones in the harsh Arctic environment. Craig Lee, a University of Washington oceanographer, warns that the current battery technology is not sufficient for powering and maintaining thousands of drones in the Arctic. Additionally, the logistics of delivering equipment and maintaining the drones in remote Arctic communities like Cambridge Bay pose significant challenges.
Despite these challenges, Real Ice remains optimistic about the potential of sea-ice thickening to combat the loss of Arctic sea ice. The project is pushing the boundaries of polar geoengineering and could have far-reaching implications for the Earth’s climate. As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, innovative solutions like sea-ice thickening could play a crucial role in mitigating its effects. Living in igloos may seem like a mystery to many, but the answer lies in the snow itself. Inuit people have been able to survive in these snow structures because snow is actually a great insulator. This fact has been proven by researchers like Simon, who drills through ice to measure its thickness. By adding layers of ice and freezing snow, the team is able to create a strong insulating barrier within the igloo.
However, the process of maintaining the right balance of snow and ice is crucial. As Woods explains, exposing the surface of the ice allows for improved conductivity, leading to efficient ice growth from below. This balance is important not just for the structural integrity of the igloo, but also for the surrounding ecosystem.
The impact of altering the snow cover for sea ice thickening can have significant consequences for the animals living in the Arctic. Marine biologist Brendan Kelly is working to understand how flooding the snow could affect seal reproduction, as well as the habitats of Arctic foxes and polar bears. With the Arctic warming at a rapid rate, the loss of suitable habitat due to decreased snow cover is a real concern.
For the Inuit residents of Cambridge Bay, the sea ice is essential for their survival. Hunting and fishing are deeply intertwined with the ice, and any changes to its thickness could have a profound impact on their way of life. As the ice recedes in the summer, the Inuit fish for arctic char, and when it returns in the fall, they hunt caribou and seals.
The potential benefits of sea-ice thickening for hunting are not lost on some community members, like hunter David Hanak. However, there are also concerns, especially among the elders. Annie Atighioyak, who was born in an igloo on the sea ice, raises questions about the consequences of such geoengineering projects. The potential disturbance to wildlife and the traditional way of life are key considerations for the community.
Inuit activists have also voiced their concerns about colonial thinking in geoengineering projects. The need for free, prior, and informed consent from indigenous communities is essential when considering any alterations to the delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem. As the Arctic continues to warm, the preservation of traditional ways of life and the protection of wildlife must be at the forefront of any discussions about geoengineering in the region. Sarah Olsvig, the international chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, recently spoke out against a proposed seabed curtain test in her native Greenland. Olsvig expressed concerns about the potential impacts of geoengineering on Indigenous lands and emphasized the need for better regulation in this area.
Real Ice, the company behind the proposed seabed curtain test, obtained permits from the regional Inuit government and the Cambridge Bay hunters and trappers organization. The company plans to conduct an environmental and social impact assessment before moving forward with a larger demonstration of their technology.
The goal of Real Ice’s project is to thicken one million square kilometers of sea ice, with the aim of cooling the planet by the equivalent of removing 930 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for 20 years. While this may sound like a significant achievement, critics argue that it is not a substitute for reducing emissions.
The cost of thickening one million square kilometers of ice is estimated to be $10 billion annually. Real Ice has received financial support from its directors and the U.K. government, but additional funding will be needed to sustain the project long-term. The company is exploring options such as selling cooling credits to companies looking to offset their carbon footprint.
However, some scientists and environmentalists are skeptical of geoengineering efforts like sea-ice thickening. They argue that the focus should be on decarbonization efforts such as investing in renewable energy sources. There are concerns that geoengineering could have unintended consequences and may serve as a distraction from the urgent need to address climate change.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding geoengineering, some experts believe that exploring these technologies is necessary given the current state of the planet. Real Ice emphasizes the importance of testing sea-ice thickening to determine its potential effectiveness in refreezing the Arctic.
As discussions around geoengineering continue, it is crucial to consider the social, ethical, and environmental implications of these technologies. Finding a balance between innovation and sustainability will be key in addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change. The Impact of Climate Change on Marine Life
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today, and its effects are being felt across all ecosystems, including the world’s oceans. Marine life is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as even small changes in temperature and ocean chemistry can have significant consequences for the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.
One of the most immediate impacts of climate change on marine life is the warming of ocean waters. As global temperatures rise, so do ocean temperatures, leading to a host of problems for marine organisms. Many species of fish, for example, are sensitive to even small changes in water temperature, and as the oceans warm, these species are being forced to migrate to cooler waters in order to survive. This can disrupt entire ecosystems, as predators and prey may no longer be in balance, leading to population declines and even extinctions.
Another major impact of climate change on marine life is ocean acidification. As the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere rise, more of this greenhouse gas is absorbed by the oceans, leading to a decrease in pH levels. This can have devastating effects on marine organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons, such as corals, mollusks, and some species of plankton. As the acidity of the ocean increases, these organisms struggle to form and maintain their calcium carbonate structures, leading to weakened shells, decreased growth rates, and increased mortality.
The loss of coral reefs is perhaps one of the most visible and dramatic effects of climate change on marine life. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet, providing a home for thousands of species of fish, invertebrates, and other marine organisms. However, rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification are causing widespread coral bleaching, where corals expel the algae that give them their vibrant colors and provide them with energy. Without these algae, corals become stressed and are more susceptible to disease, leading to widespread die-offs and the destruction of entire reef systems.
In addition to these direct impacts, climate change is also leading to changes in ocean circulation patterns, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, all of which can have significant effects on marine life. Changes in ocean circulation can alter the distribution of nutrients and plankton, which form the base of the marine food chain, leading to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem. Sea level rise can inundate coastal habitats, such as mangroves and salt marshes, which provide essential nursery grounds for many species of fish and other marine organisms. And extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and typhoons, can cause widespread destruction of coral reefs and other marine habitats, as well as disrupt the migration patterns of many marine species.
In conclusion, the impacts of climate change on marine life are wide-ranging and profound, and urgent action is needed to address this crisis. By reducing our carbon emissions, protecting and restoring marine habitats, and implementing sustainable fishing practices, we can help to mitigate the worst effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and ensure a healthy and thriving ocean for future generations.
